Sergino Dest is headed back to the Dutch Eredivisie with hopes of becoming a first-team regular again.
Dest has joined PSV on a season-long loan spell from Barcelona, the clubs agreed Monday. The 22-year-old Dest will be united with fellow U.S. men’s national team teammates Ricardo Pepi and Malik Tillman.
The Dutch side also has an €11 million ($12 million) option to make the move permanent next summer.
“PSV was working with me every day and that made me feel good,” Dest said. “In addition, I think [Peter] Bosz’s style of play suits me enormously. I return to the Netherlands as the same type of footballer, but with much more experience and hopefully a higher return. I can’t wait for my debut.”
Dest joined Barcelona from Dutch club Ajax in 2020 and proceeded to registered three goals and four assists in 72 combined appearances. He was part of their summer tour of the United States this year.
He also logged a combined 52 appearances for PSV and AC Milan during his European career.
“When a player really wants to, it gives an extra good feeling,” PSV director Earnie Stewart said. “He is a very skilled defender who can also contribute offensively with his creativity and explosiveness.” Stewart expects the new signing to be on the pitch soon: “He’s been on the pitch all the way through the preparation at FC Barcelona, so he’s fit.”
Dest helped the USMNT win its second-straight Concacaf Nations League title in June. A former dual-national player, Dest has earned 25 caps with the USMNT, scoring two goals and registering four assists.
PSV faces off with Scottish side Rangers in the final round of UEFA Champions League Qualifying, beginning this week.
Great move for him. Excited to see the game that all 3 Americans start.
Probably just means there will now be 3 Americans to keep the bench warm at PSV. Could be 4 if Ledezma comes back from loan. Pepi has hardly featured so far this year, Tillman has not made it off the bench yet and who knows about Dest. At Barca and Milan he was playing in the beginning and then was on the bench.
2 games played thus far——- Tillman joined late, and Pepi was signed to complete— it shouldn’t be a surprise this early in the season that new players, just signed haven’t integrated just yet. I can see your point if we were 2 months down the road, if they were not playing.
5 games so far 2 Eredivisie, 2 Champions League Qualifiers, and the cup winners cup. Pepi has played 75 minutes. Pepi was brought in to back up DeJong not really compete with him. Perhaps replace him next year, but he’s the backup.
Tillman did just arrive and wasn’t training fully. Hoping he’ll make his debut this week but PSV is pretty deep across their midfield. As a Ledezma fan I can tell you they aren’t known for doing a lot of rotation either. They might still be sellers as well so that could open up minutes for Tillman.
three USMNT players on the team……and PSV like to play in a 4-3-3 formation!!!! LETS GOOOO!!!!!
Thank God. That Barca debacle had to have been killing him. I cannot imagine what it would be like to be at your dream club…while they freeze you out and make it abundantly clear over the course of two years you are not wanted, but no one else (well, except AC Milan, where he didn’t fit either) can take you because you’re too expensive.
Money’s awesome. The incessant pummeling to your sense of self-worth also almost certainly means you’re hating life.
At least at PSV Dest is back at home, he’s wanted, and will almost certainly play regularly. And he’ll be with Ricardo Pepi…it’s never a bad thing when key players develop synergy and familiarity. After that he definitely needs to plan future moves with the idea he’s a wingback and not a fullback, and unless the team plays a 3-or-5-man backline, it’s not a fit…and “fit” is going to be a lot more important than getting to the absolute biggest and best club imaginable.
“Thank God. That Barca debacle had to have been killing him. I cannot imagine what it would be like to be at your dream club…while they freeze you out and make it abundantly clear over the course of two years you are not wanted, but no one else (well, except AC Milan, where he didn’t fit either) can take you because you’re too expensive.”
He’s not THAT expensive. Dest can’t take a hint. His self-destructive attitude is not helpful.
“Money’s awesome. The incessant pummeling to your sense of self-worth also almost certainly means you’re hating life.”
I don’t know what Dest is thinking or feeling but you can’t have too much money.
“After that he definitely needs to plan future moves with the idea he’s a wingback and not a fullback, and unless the team plays a 3-or-5-man backline, it’s not a fit…and “fit” is going to be a lot more important than getting to the absolute biggest and best club imaginable.”
Dest’s best games for the USMNT have come as a right back. He’s not Timo Weah. Timo’s biggest asset as a wingback is his offensive potential going forward. Dest can’t shoot or cross to save his life and is nowhere near as frightening. All that fancy dribbling? Save it for the circus. He needs to do what his manager asks.
“At least at PSV Dest is back at home, he’s wanted, and will almost certainly play regularly. And he’ll be with Ricardo Pepi…it’s never a bad thing when key players develop synergy and familiarity. “
He’s at PSV because of Earnie. Maybe he thinks he’s doing his buddy Gregg a solid.
The Americans first have to win playing time, not a certainty with PSV. Pepi was not brought into start, they want him to develop first.
This is how he got in trouble in the first place, with that entitled attitude.
No one ever questioned his talent. He appears to not be very coachable and has not had the greatest attitude. He says the right things to the media but then looks like crap on the pitch.
Milan couldn’t be bothered to actually try him out. That’s Milan as in the island of misfit toys at the time.
That’s very telling. It reminds me of Michael Bradley’s loan to Aston Villa. Everyone said the right things in both cases but in both places no one wanted Dest or Bradley him on the pitch.
Face it, this is a failure and a big letdown to come crawling back to the Eredivisie with his tail between his legs after flopping in Barca. Barca turned his head and made him think he had already arrived when he really hadn’t done anything yet.
Dest really needs to take this debacle very seriously and bear down. This is last chance saloon.
Gosh, you’re fun.
How do you know Pepi had or has an entitled attitude? Never heard a whiff of that. Maybe be he thought he would make more of an impact and was easily frustrated but man not sure where you got that from….
Glove69,
Sorry I was referring to Dest’s attitude the entire post.
Earnie made it clear that Pepi is to learn from the likes of DeJong.
quozzel,
Maybe you enjoy watching Dest piss away his considerable talent but I don’t. If he’s back in Holland where he said he wouldn’t go, he’s desperate.
Which is good. He should be.
Maybe he’ll get down to it and put in the work.